India Adoptions

Starting in 2012, India adoptions has entered into a new phase with implementation of the new system overseen by the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA). CARA introduced the new adoption guidelines in 2011 and started accepting new applications for intercountry adoption in January of 2012. The new system is aimed to create a more streamline and centralized adoption procedure, in which CARA will be responsible for searching and matching the child with prospective adoptive parents.

Children are available in both gender, but females are more popular. There is an option to adopt non-special-needs children while special-needs adoptions will receive more priority and expeditious services from Indian authorities. Depending on ages of the adoptive parents, families can adopt children under or above 3 years old.

Faith International is now accepting new applications for India Adoptions. You are welcome to contact us for questions about the program and for assistance to get started.

Check out the latest posts on India adoption to learn more about the program.

Hague Requirements

India is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore, all adoptions between India and the United States must meet requirements of the Convention and the U.S. law implementing the Convention. You must first be found eligible to be an adoptive parent by the U.S. Government by filling Form I-800A with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

India Requirements

In addition to requirements by the Hague Convention and the U.S. Government, India also has the following eligibility requirements for prospective adoptive parents (PAPs):

No child may be given in adoption to a couple unless they have at least two years of stable marital relationship.

Couples in live-relationships are not eligible to adopt a child

To adopt a child in the age group of 0-3 years, the maximum combined age of the PAP should be 90 years wherein the individual age of the PAPs should not be less than 25 years and more than 50 years (25-50).

To adopt children above 3 years of age, the maximum combined age of the PAPs should be 105 years wherein the individual age of the PAPs should not be less than 25 years and more than 55 years (25-55).

In case of single PAP desires to adopt, he or she should not be less than 30 years of age and shall not be above the age of 50 years (30-50). The maximum age shall be 45 years to adopt children in the age group of 0-3 years and 50 years for adopting children above 3 years.

The PAPs should have adequate financial resources to provide a good upbringing to the child.

The PAPs should have good health and should not be suffering from any contagious or terminal disease or any such mental or physical condition, which many prevent them from taking care of the child.

Adoption of a second child is permissible only when the legal adoption of the first child has been finalized, but this is not applicable in case of siblings.

An un-married or single male person is not permitted to adopt a girl child.

Source: Guidelines Governing the Adoption of Children, 2011 – Ministry of Women and Children Development

India Adoption Process

An adoption from India must follow a specific process designed to meet the requirements by Hague and CARA. This process will follow 10 primary steps. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all necessary legal requirements. Currently, an adoption from India is estimated to complete in 14-16 months.

India Adoption Costs

Application Fee

$350

Admin Fee

$1,100

Agency Fee

$7,000

Adoption Processing Fees in India

$5,000

Charitable Projects and In-Country Assistance

$2,000

Post-Placement Report

$500

Total

$15,950

Fees are estimated for adoption of 1 child. There will be additional costs to adopt siblings, but it is not multiplied by number of children in the group because some fees may be reduced or waived for the second child or beyond additional ones.
Fees for homestudy, U.S. immigration services, and travel expenses are not included in the above costs.

The Council on Accreditation (COA) is a national accrediting body approved by the United States Department of State to conduct Hague accreditation and approval reviews. COA invites the public to provide comment on inter-country adoption service providers seeking Hague accreditation or approval or renewal of Hague accreditation or approval. Click here to provide comment about services of Faith International Adoptions.